JPS63202808A - Key input device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] "Industrial Application Field" The present invention relates to a key input device, and in particular, a display device such as a liquid crystal display is housed in a key top portion, and the keys indicate what input. The present invention relates to a key input device whose key top portion can be separated, in which the key input device can indicate whether there is a device or the current state of the device.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in so-called key input devices such as this type of variable display type key switch, a lamp, a light emitting diode, etc. is embedded in the key top, and the displayed information is as follows.
There is a known device that displays the shift status of the keyboard, etc. by lighting the light.

In addition, recently, display devices such as light emitting diode arrays and liquid crystal displays have been housed, and specific character 9 shapes have been installed.

Some can display other information. This is a key input device having a relatively large key top, and is used by arranging one or more keys on an operation panel or keyboard. Each built-in display device is generally equipped with electrodes in the form of a dot matrix, and the desired information is displayed by selectively driving the dots.

[Problem to be solved] Key input devices that have the function of displaying information such as characters require a lot of wiring to transmit control information for selectively driving dots. do. Therefore,
An important issue is how to route a large number of wires from the board side of the keyboard etc. to the display device on the key top side.

This wiring is often done using, for example, a flat cord (wire material) or a flexible cable, but with such wires, it is necessary to press the key manually and move the key itself to the bottom. In this case, there is a problem that unstable stress is generated by the wiring and acts in a direction that prevents upward movement, restricting the degree of freedom and causing poor contact on the display side. Moreover, if the keys are placed adjacent to each other, there is a risk that the adjacent key input devices will be adversely affected, the wiring itself will be damaged, and the keys will not be able to withstand manual key operations tens of thousands of times.

Further, in such a case, the key input device and the keyboard are connected by wiring and become integrated, which impairs the individuality of the key input device and limits the degree of freedom in wiring. Moreover, the manufacturing process is not simple and the manufacturing cost is high.

Furthermore, since the display is housed in the key top, it will need to be replaced if it breaks down or is defective.
In the above-mentioned devices, since the key input device and the board are connected with a wire, the independence of each key input device is lost during maintenance or inspection, making maintenance difficult. .

This invention was made in view of the problems of the prior art, and in addition to solving these problems, wiring is simple and independence of each key can be ensured. The purpose is to provide a key input device that is easy to install and maintain.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The means in the key input device of the present invention for achieving the above object include a key top portion having a display device, and a key top portion provided on the key top portion side, and a key input device having a display device. a first terminal group consisting of a plurality of terminals that are connected and transmit signals thereto;
a second terminal group consisting of terminals connected to or used as terminals of external wiring and corresponding to the number of terminals in the first terminal group;
and a conductive spring member that electrically connects the respective terminals of the terminal group and the second terminal group, and the spring member and at least one of the first terminal group and the second terminal group are separable. The spring member is in a compressed state.

[Operations] In this way, for example, a contact terminal on the external lead-out terminal side and a contact terminal on the key top side are provided on the key base side with a pin used for wiring on the board side, and connected to the pin. Since a compressed spring member is interposed between the two and at least one of them is connected in contact with each other, the key top portion and the key base side can be separated. Furthermore, in the assembled state, even if the key top side is moved up and down, connection to the pins on the board wiring side can be guaranteed, and the key top portion can be handled as an independent component.

In addition, by adopting the above-mentioned configuration, since the contact terminals are in contact with each other via the spring member, unnecessary stress is not generated when the key moves up and down. is not restricted. Moreover, the risk of poor contact occurring on the display side is reduced, and the wiring itself, which would have an adverse effect on the adjacent key input device δ, is independent of the key base side, so there is no need to damage the key top side.

As a result, it can withstand many manual key operations, and the key input device and keyboard can be handled individually. Also,
The degree of freedom in wiring is increased, the manufacturing process is simplified, and the display device housed in the key top part can be easily replaced in case of failure or defect, making maintenance easier.

[Example 1] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a key input device to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2(a) is a sectional view of the key input device in its assembled state, and FIG. 2(b) is a sectional view of the key top in a pressed state. figure,
FIGS. 3(a), 3(b), and 3(C) are schematic diagrams of a key input device in which the spring member is replaced with a leaf spring. Note that in each of these figures, equivalent parts are indicated by the same reference numerals.

゛ In Figures 1 and 2 (aL (b), 1
is a key input device, which includes a key base 2, a key top portion 3 that fits into the key base 2 from the outside and moves up and down, and a liquid crystal display device portion 5 housed in the key top portion 3.
It is configured with the following functions and is mounted on the board of the keyboard, etc.

The key top section 3 consists of a key top 4a and a window glass section 4b that is integrally embedded in a part of the keypad 4a, and a liquid crystal display section 5 is housed on the F side of the window glass section 4b.

The liquid crystal display unit 5 includes a liquid crystal display 51, zebra connectors 52, 52, an LED unit 53, and an IC drive circuit unit 54.
Each output contact terminal of the IC drive circuit unit 54 and each contact terminal of the liquid crystal display 51 are connected, and a drive output signal from the IC drive circuit unit 54 is applied to the liquid crystal display 51. Further, the LED unit 53 is connected to an IC drive circuit unit 54.
via terminal pins 53a and 53b, and serves as a backlight that emits light from the rear.

The IC drive circuit unit 54 consists of an IC circuit section 54a that drives a liquid crystal display and a substrate 54b on which it is mounted.The contact terminal on the input side of the IC circuit section 54a is connected to the substrate 5.
Contact terminal 5a + on the back side of 4b (see Figure 2)
..., 5g, ..., 5j, and the number is 8.
A total of 10 wires are distributed and arranged in a substantially circular shape, corresponding to the main signal line, power supply line, and ground line. Then, corresponding to the position of each of the 10 contact terminals on the back side,
As shown in FIG. 1, ten coil springs 6 made of copper are arranged in a dispersed manner. These 10 coil springs e, e
, e, -... are Fig. 2 (a) and (b) showing the assembled state.
As can be seen, the corresponding through hole 7 a of the intermediate block 7
+ φ・, 7g,・Fist, 7j are inserted into each contact terminal 2 a + ・φ, 2g, ・, of the key base 2.
2j respectively.

The intermediate block 7 is an actuation block for the switch 22 provided on the key base 2, and as shown in FIG. 2(b), when the key top 4a is pressed down, the intermediate block 7 descends and closes the contacts of the switch 22. contact between. intermediate block 7
Projections 71 and 72 are provided on the sides of the key top 4 so as to face the both side walls, and in the assembled state, as shown in FIG.
They are fitted into and held in the inner side wall grooves 11 and 12 of a, respectively.

A contact terminal 2a provided on the key base 2.

..., 2g, ..., 2j are contact ends)'5 a, ・
・.

A switch 22 is placed in the center of 21, facing 5g, 21, and 5j in an almost circular shape.
is provided. Further, guide walls 23 and 24 are formed on the side surfaces thereof to contact and guide the inside of the key top 4a.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lower tip of the key top 4a is
Inwardly protruding pawls 13, 14 are provided on opposing sides, and these pawls 13, 14 protrude linearly as protrusions in the front-rear direction in the drawing along the side wall surface.

The rear portions of the guide walls 23, 24 of the key base 2 are stepped along the inside, and the pawls 13.14 engage with the stepped portions 26.27 in the assembled state, so that the coil springs 6 Increases the movement force that pushes you up by +1. As a result, in the case of 10 coils, the upper and lower contact terminals 5a,
..., 5g, ...

5j and contact terminal 2a +..., 2g,..., 2j
1 and 2 to ensure electrical continuity between them when the keypad 4a is not pressed down.

In particular, in this embodiment, each connection contact is connected by an independent coil spring, so even if the key top moves downward to L, each contact state is maintained without being influenced by the other. be able to. Additionally, since the coil springs are dispersed, the key top can be smoothly moved northward in a well-balanced manner without the need for a return spring like a normal key switch.

Next, a method of assembling this key input device will be explained.

First, separately assemble the liquid crystal display unit 5 consisting of the liquid crystal display 51, the zebra connector 52, the LED unit 53, and the IC drive circuit unit 54, and then turn the keypad unit 3 upside down and install the liquid crystal display unit 5. key top 4a
and insert it toward the bottom so that it contacts the window glass portion 4b. As a result, the liquid crystal display unit 5 has a projection 15 provided on the key top 4a. IE
3 and is fixed by being held by the protrusions 15 and 16.

Next, the intermediate block 7 is inserted into the key top 4a,
The protrusions 71.72 are the side wall grooves 11.1 of the key top 4a.
2 and is locked. In this state, the ten coil springs 6 are inserted into the through holes 7a, .

7g, ·φ, 7j) 1), and finally, while pressing the coil spring 6, the key base 2 is inserted past the protruding pawls 13 and 14, and the state shown in FIG. 2(a) is obtained. Assembled.

In this embodiment, both sides of the coil spring 6 are connected to the contact terminals 2a, . . . , 2g, .phi., 2j and the contact terminal 5a.
+..., 5g,..., 5j are in separable contact state, but the coil spring 6 may be fixed to one of the contact terminals.

As for the fixing method, it may be fixed by soldering, or a pin thicker than the coil diameter may be implanted on the board side, and one end of the coil spring may be forcibly inserted into the pin to fix it.

FIG. 3(a) is an example in which the coil spring 6 is replaced by two leaf springs arranged facing each other, and as shown in FIG. 3(b), the leaf springs 8, 8 have 5 wires 81, 8
2, 83, 84, and 85 are respectively provided through an insulator 86, or are provided as a flexible cable 86 glued to the leaf spring 8, and the contact terminal portion provided at the front end of these images is Contact terminal 2a,...
2g.

・φ, 2j and contact terminals 5a, 11., 5g, *.

It is in contact with 5j. In this case, contact terminal 2
a +..., 2g,..., 2j and contact terminal 5a
+..., 5g, -φ, 5j are positioned corresponding to the contact terminals at each wiring position of the leaf spring 8, and the through hole of the intermediate block 7 has a rectangular cross section cut into a box shape. There are two grooves 74 and 75. The leaf spring 8 is
As shown in FIG. 3(C), the contact terminals 2a, . They are well-balanced and placed in grooves 74 and 75, respectively.

By arranging the leaf springs in two parts in this manner, it is possible to provide a key touch feeling similar to that of a conventional key switch.

As explained above, in the fin embodiment, the return spring for the key top is omitted, and although this is not particularly required, a return coil spring may be inserted for balance, and in this case, the contact The terminal contact spring force can be weakened.

Further, although the coil spring is inserted in a compressed state, the compressed state may be realized by the weight of the key top, and it is not necessarily necessary to force compression.

Although coil springs are used in the first embodiment, each coil spring may be replaced with a leaf spring. Note that the spring is not limited to being made of metal.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, an LED unit is inserted as a backlight, but a backlight is not necessarily required.

Further, the display device is not limited to a liquid crystal display, and various types of display devices such as LEDs can be used, and the display device is not limited to a don't matrix type.

Furthermore, such a key input device may be arranged like a keyboard, or may be used as a middle type on an operation panel.

Furthermore, the switch body is not limited to the structure shown in the embodiment.

[Effects of the Invention] As can be understood from the above description, in the present invention, for example, an external lead provided on the key base side having a pin used for wiring on the board side and connected to the pin A compressed spring member is interposed between the contact terminal on the terminal side and the contact terminal on the key top side, and at least one of them is connected by contact, so that the key top part and the key base side are connected. Can be separated. Furthermore, in the assembled state, even if the key top side is moved up and down, connection to the pins on the board wiring side can be guaranteed, and the key top portion can be handled as an independent component.

In addition, by adopting the above configuration, since the contact terminals are in contact with each other via the spring member, unnecessary stress is not generated for one needle movement of the key, and the key is free to move manually. There are no limits to the degree. Furthermore, the risk of poor contact occurring on the display side is reduced, and the wiring itself, which would adversely affect adjacent key input devices, is independent of the key base side, eliminating the need for damage to the key top side.

As a result, it can withstand many manual key operations, and the key input device and keyboard can be handled individually. Also,
The degree of freedom in wiring is increased, the manufacturing process is simplified, and the display device housed in the key top part can be easily replaced in case of failure or defect, making maintenance easier.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a key input device to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2(a) is a sectional view of the key input device in its assembled state, and FIG. 2(b) is a sectional view of the key top in a pressed state. FIGS. 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c) are schematic diagrams of a key input device in which the spring member is replaced with a leaf spring. 1... Key input device, 2... Key base, 2at
2gt 2L 5aw 5g, 5j...Contact terminal, 3
...Key top part, 4a...Key top, 4b...
...Window glass capital, 5...Gi crystal display unit, 6...Coil spring 7...
Intermediate block% 7at 7g+ 7j...through hole,
8... Leaf spring, 11.12... Side wall groove, 13.14
...Claw, 15.16...Protrusion, 22.23...Stepped edge, 51...Liquid crystal display, 52...Zebra connector, 53...LED unit, 54... IC drive circuit unit, 71.72...projection.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A key top portion having a display device, a first terminal group consisting of a plurality of terminals provided on the key top portion side, connected to the display device and transmitting signals thereto, and connected to external wiring. A second terminal group consisting of terminals corresponding to the number of terminals in the first terminal group, and a conductive terminal that electrically connects each terminal of the first terminal group and the second terminal group. the spring member and at least one of the first terminal group and the second terminal group are connected in a separable contact state, and the spring member is in a compressed state. Key input device. (2) A patent claim characterized in that the spring member is composed of a number of metal coil springs corresponding to the number of terminals in the first terminal group, and the plurality of coil springs are arranged in a dispersed manner. The key input device according to item 1 of the scope of the invention. (3) A patent claim characterized in that the spring member is composed of a number of metal leaf springs corresponding to the number of terminals in the first terminal group, and these plurality of leaf springs are arranged in a dispersed manner. The key input device according to item 1 of the scope of the invention. (4) The key input device according to claim 1, wherein the spring member is a leaf spring having a number of wires corresponding to the number of terminals of the first terminal group.